The recently-introduced mobile phone ban was said to be causing a safety crisis as the number of near-misses increased when motorists pulled over to answer calls. Fleets were urged to issue drivers with guidance on safe procedures to avoid crashes.
February
A year after the London congestion charge was introduced, fleets were still suffering from incorrect fine demands. The number of appeals against incorrect penalties was about to hit 35,000 compared with an estimated 7,000 predicted by Transport for London.
March
Award winners collected their trophies at the 2004 Fleet News Awards joined by celebrities including TV presenter Sir Trevor McDonald and weathergirl Sian Lloyd. More than 1,200 people attended the event in London.
April
Two-thirds of fleet operators called for legislation to force them to introduce new safety measures. A total of 64% of fleets said they would welcome more laws forcing the industry to take action to improve driver safety.
May
Government plans to charge penalties for motorists committing minor speeding offences was criticised by the motoring and fleet industry. The Government suggested it would introduce two penalty points for drivers travelling at one or two miles per hour over the limit.
June
The Motor Show Live was held in Birmingham. Ford had its largest stand ever, covering 7,400 square metres, Saab predicted a fleet sales surge and Honda announced plans to double its fleet market share by the end of the decade.
July
Fleets were warned of a £1 billion surge in fines and administration fees if the Government went ahead with the introduction of national congestion charges in major cities across the UK. Industry groups called for a clearer charge system to be introduced.
August
Fleets were urged to introduce contingency plans to cope with problems caused if the price of fuel continued to climb. The average price of unleaded fuel stood at 82p and experts predicted that costs could surge to £4 a gallon or 88p a litre.
September
Companies were forced to review mobile phone polices after a fleet van driver who crashed while talking on his hand-held mobile phone, killing another motorist, was jailed for three years.
October
The Government announced plans to target middle lane hoggers as experts claimed that an estimated 700 miles of motorway network would be created if car and van drivers kept to the left. Two safety messages highlighting the campaign were being piloted on UK motorways.
November
Transport Minister David Jamieson gave his backing for green fleet cars saying that drivers who opt out of company car schemes are more likely to choose vehicles with higher emissions, which is bad for the environment.
December
Exactly a year after the introduction of the law banning the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving, a new survey showed that nearly all UK fleets were operating a zero-tolerance policy against drivers caught breaking the law.
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